An Ancient Hindu Royal Throne
By Deepak Bhattacharya

A - Abstract

Orissa had a long history of great builders. Such royal patrons surely must have had a royal throne. However, no archaeology has so far been reported. This study presents a royal throne. It is related to Yayati Kesari-II.

B - Location & Relevant Background

Varada Ganesha fig – 1

At Cuttack opposite high court in Kali galli is the east facing monument of Varada ¹ Ganesha. It is said to have been worshipped by Raghujee Bhonsle during Maratha rule in Orissa. Raghujee is said to have given land & financial grant ². Installation of Varada Ganesha fig – 1 on this seat therefore logically can be attributed to Raghujee in 18^th AD. The shrine has a ekaka sevayat (one family) system, having the title of Dikshit of Kasyapa gotra.

A ganapatya named Taponidhi Bharati had donated his property to Jew Jagannath including those at above location called Bharati mutth ³. At the mutth there is a tradition that the Gajjapati of Khordha used to come & sit in Mukta-angana-sabha (open air court) sometime in 19^th & early 20^th circa. The Gajjapatis had their own property at this site as well. The sand stone podium et. al. is said to have survived till early eighties whence it was dismantled & private dwellings made. Bharati’s property vesting in temple trust was done during British period ³. The ex site of the podium, details thereof & the present location of the Singhasana may be components. Presently they are separated by approx. 35 meters only, on a N – S line. The perimeter of Bharati’s erstwhile properties; Gajjapati holdings; how it came here; inter-connection; etc. are extraneous matter.

The monument & the seat face east; monument is Suryavansi pidha type of approx 25 ft high; has rectangular jagamohana; a pillared bhogamandapa has semi-circular, arched roof in western Orissan saili (style). Both added sequentially in later periods. Lay out is linear; floor level elevation enables eye contact with deity from point of entry. This is an independent Ganesha monument. The installed deity occupies the seat ^#.

# - Iconographic studies are part of another report.